Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,045, Benjamin Follet, N.H.

SERVICE
N.Y.H.
Follet, Benjamin
NUMBER _____
S 13.045
carded
CONTENTS

Vermont
18395
Benjamin Hallet of Middlesex in the State of Vermont was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Howard of the Regt. commanded by Col. Bartlett in the Vt. M. V. for 8 mos 5 ds.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 27 Dollars 21 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Octo. 1833 and sent to J. Short. Thetford.
Swears to the 14th of Sept. 1833. $88.02 Semi-ann. allowance ending Feb. 14. 1834. 13.60 $101.62
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book G Vol. 9. Page 65

DECLARATION Benjamin Fallet Application to
21005
Return to be made to Simon Post Wiggin County Vt.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New Hampshire  Vermont , } ss. Probate District of Bradford County of Orange } in said Orange County
On this 26 day of Sept 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the  Probate Court of the Probate District , now sitting, Benjamin Follett a resident of Fairlee in the County of Orange and State of Vt.  Vermont aged 77 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - in Capt. Howards Company & he believes Col. Boutelle's regiment - he enlisted in December A. D. 1776 & continued in the service till sometime in March A. D. 1777 having been in the service nearly four months - He then lived at Orford New Hampshire - marched to Charleston N. H. - then to Hartford, Connecticut , then to Parks Hill in the State of New York & remained there in that vicinity till he was discharged.
The last of July 1777 he again entered the service as a volunteer in Capt. Ploar's Company - went from said Orford to Charleston - then to Manchester Vt. then to Mount Independence opposite to Ticonderoga , & from there he was detached to guard some prisoners to said Charleston - He returned home where  was at home but a day or two, when he again entered the service as a substitute for his father Francis Follett in Capt. Chandler's company & marched to Saratoga  New York was there at the surrender of Burgoyne & continued in the service till the first week in November - when he returned home - having been in the service in the two last routes more than three months. He again turned out as a volunteer under Capt. Ephraim Mowry or an alias, & marched towards Albany N. H. - They were countermanded & sent to Newbury ( H. ) & he was gone at this time three weeks or more - This was the year Royallston was burned - he believes in 1781 - Again in the revolutionary war he volunteered as an alarm & marched to said Newbury & was gone two weeks - cannot fix the year - was born in Newmarket N. H. Dec. 31. 1754 - His father Mr. Goodale of said Fairlee has a record of his age - in 1772 moved from said Newmarket to Hanover N. H. & 1774 moved to Orford where said Fairlee he has ever since resided - Had no discharge nor any documentary evidence of his services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day of Sept 1832
We Martha Mory residing in Fairlee in Orange County and Benjamin Sabin residing in said Fairlee hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benj. Follett , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day of Sept 1832
Martha Mory Benjamin Sabin
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court certifies, that it appears to them that Martha Mory who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the Town of Fairlee and that Benjamin Sabin , who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Fairlee and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Simson Root Clerk or Dep. of the Probate Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benj. Follett for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 26th day of Sept A.D. 1832
Simson Root Clk

21. 605
Benjamin Follett Orange B c Vermont
Admiral
8 months 25 days
 26. 66  35  27. 21  54. 42  13. 60  68. 02 
S. Short Esq. Shetland V n -
- v

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
June 5. 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
Statement, showing the Service of Benjamin Follett
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Dec 1776 nearby 4 Private Colt Howard Colt Battlett 77 years Alford New Hampshire By living witnesses   July - 1777 - Time of service in the States " Capt Sloan   Having been in the service of the two last Regts until the number three months 3 " Capt Chandler   The year 1778 after being barred again 1781 21 " Capt Mowry   14  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia:
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days; I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the time, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Perkins
13045 INVALID.
[Handwritten mark]
File No. 13045
Benjamin Follett Phil. Rea. War
Act: June 1 st 1832.
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Ichabod Palmer of Orford County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire aged 76 years do testify & say, That I am well acquainted with Benjamin Follet of Fairlee County of Orange & State of Vermont an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832, & knew him in the revolutionary war, at which time we both lived in said Orford.
I remember that the said Follet entered the service of the United States in Capt. Howard's company - the fore part of December A. D. 1776. There were several soldiers from Orford in the same company, all of whom are dead but the said Follet, and as was universally understood & believed they all marched to Hartford, Connecticut, then to P'keepsill New York & were gone till sometime in March 1777 - when I know that they returned & I heard them & the said Follet relate the account of their tour or sojourn. Said Follet was gone nearly four months. -
The last of July 1777 said Follet again entered the service in a company commanded by Capt. Sloan - I was in the same company - we marched to Manchester (Vt) then to Mount Independence opposite Tienderoga - said Follet continued in said company till the first of September or first of October - when he was detached to Charleston N. H. I understood that he there after being at home but a day or two entered the service again & went to Saratoga & I know that he returned home the fore part of November in company with those who were from said Orford at the surrender of Burgoyne.
The year that Royalltown was burned I believe 1781 I was again in Capt. Ephraim Mowry's company at Newbury (Vt.) said Follet was also in said company we were out three weeks at least, on an alarm. -
State of New Hampshire Grafton p. — {
August 28 - 1832 -
Personally appeared Ichabod Palmer affirmed I made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. The said Palmer is a credible witness & his statement is entitled to credit.
Leonard Wilux Jr. of Peace. —
Ichabod Palmer

State of New Hampshire
Grafton p
I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Grafton do certify that Leonard Wilson Bequins is a Justice of the peace within & for the county of Grafton duly qualified to take affidavits & that I believe the within to be his genuine signature.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 21 st day of September 1832
Roll Woodward Clerk.

I Alexander Strong of Oxford County of Maine & State of New Hampshire aged 71 years do testify and say - That I am well acquainted with Benjamin Follett of Fairlee County of Orange & State of Vermont an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832, & knew him in the revolutionary war, at which time we both lived in said Oxford.
I remember that the said Follett entered the service of the United States in Capt. Howard's company - the fore part of December A.D. 1776 - There were several soldiers went from Oxford in that company at this time, all of whom are dead but the said Follett - and as was universally believed I understood they marched to Hartford, Connecticut - & then to Peekskill, New York & were gone there till sometime in March 1777, when I know that they returned & heard then of the said Follett relate the amount of their tour as aforesaid. Said Follett was gone nearly four months.
The last of July 1777 said Follett again entered the service in a company commanded by Capt. Sloan: & as was understood I believed marched to Manchester (W. of) Mount Independence opposite Picoberga - that he returned & was at home not more or put up October than a day or two the last of September, then again entered the service & marched to Saratoga New York - & was at the surrender of Burgoyne & remained in the service till the fore part of November following. When he was last at Saratoga as aforesaid he was in Capt. Chandler's company to which I belonged - & came home with me. - We were both at the surrender of Burgoyne. -
I was also at Newbury Vermont in a company commanded by Capt. Ephraim Mowry on an alarm - Said Follett was a soldier in said company & we were out on service three weeks or more - This was in 1781 when Royalton was burned At another time during the revolutionary war we were out as soldiers in said service at said Newbury two weeks or more. I forget the year - I also know of his having been out at other times during the war on scouts & alarms. -
In line 21 - "or first of October" interlined before signing.
" " 31, "or when Royalton was burned" interlined before signing. -
Alex Strong
State of New Hampshire
Oxford Co. -
August 28. 1832
Personally appeared Alexander Strong aforesaid and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just & true. Said deponent is a gentleman of undoubted veracity & his statement is entitled to all credit.
Leonard Wilson for. Press.

State of New Hampshire
Grafton p
I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Grafton do certify that Leonora Wilson Esquire is a justice of the peace within & for the county of Grafton duly qualified to take affidavits & that I believe the within to be his genuine signature
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 21 st day of September 1832
Robt Woodward Clerk

State of Vermont Probate District of Orange } On this 24 th day of July A.D. 1833 - personally appeared in the County of Orange before the Probate Court of said Probate District now sitting Benjamin Follett a resident of Fairlee in the County of Orange State of Vermont who made his declaration before this Court on the 26 th day of Sept. A.D. 1832 for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following additional declaration viz. That by reason of old age & the con- sequent loss of memory he cannot know positively as to the length of his service in every regt but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned before viz. in Capt. Howard Company 6th Batt. Regiment three months four halves. Two months four halves in Capt. Keen's Company one month in Capt. Chandler's Company the last time as substitute for his father Francis Follett These ranks at one time in Capt. Ephraim Moor's Company going first to Haverhill then to Newbury & then ranks a second time in Capt. Ephraim Moor's Company or in all four times to Newbury the whole time as a private in the militia - as he understood That he cannot be more particular in stating the circumstances as to names of Officers, Regiments &c than he has been in his declaration - And he refers to Saml. Bliss, Phineas Mayhew, Solomon Bliss Esqrs as persons in his neighborhood who are acquainted with his character for truth & veracity who can testify their belief of his having as a soldier of the revolution D. J. Merrill J. Kelly

I believe that Clerk or Dep. of the Probate Court of... do hereby certify that on this 24th day of July 1833 the within named Benjamin Follen duly filed and tendered seven to the within 2 foregoing additions or declarations in Court.
For testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the seal of said Court Sincerely Thos. C. Clapp
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]